Final answer:
The most common cause of hypovolemic shock in infants is due to severe vomiting or diarrhea leading to significant fluid loss. Treatment involves intravenous fluids and medications to raise blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common cause of hypovolemic shock in infants is fluid loss due to severe vomiting or diarrhea. Hypovolemic shock arises when there is a significant decrease in blood volume, which impairs the circulatory system's ability to maintain blood flow and supply necessary oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. In infants, this can often be precipitated by gastrointestinal conditions that cause them to lose fluids at a rate that the body cannot compensate for.
Hypovolemic shock in children should not be confused with emotional or psychological shock. It presents with symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, a weak and thready pulse, cool and clammy skin, rapid shallow breathing, and a decrease in urine output. To address hypovolemic shock, treatment typically includes the administration of intravenous fluids to replenish lost volume and medications such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine to raise blood pressure and improve circulation.